"I have come to negotiate with the marshmallow monster," he declared.
The afternoon turned into an improvised family adventure.
Elena became the commander of an imaginary spaceship.
Mateo directed the rescue operation.
Carlos played several ridiculous characters, each with a different voice.
By the time they finally recovered the missing toy car, the living room looked as though a small storm had passed through it.
Pillows covered the floor.
Blankets were piled on the couch.
Laundry remained unfinished.
But for the first time in months, nobody seemed particularly bothered.
Mateo held the rescued car above his head.
"Mission accomplished!"
Carlos applauded.
Elena cheered.
And the little boy smiled with the satisfaction of someone who had saved the entire universe.
In a way, he had helped rescue something important.
Not a toy car.
But a feeling his family had nearly forgotten.
Chapter 7: What Carlos Realized That Evening
Later that night, after Mateo had gone to bed, Carlos remained in the living room.
